Van Persie's brace helps Man U climb to third in PL table post Southampton win

Netherlands football team captain Robin van Persie scored a brace to help Manchester United climb to third in the Premier League table post their victory over superior Southampton at St Mary's.

Van Persie's shot from Jose Fonte's slack backpass gave United an early lead in the 12th minute, but Italian striker Graziano Pelle swept in a deserved equaliser as Southampton fought back.

Southampton created plenty of chances to score but failed, and Van Persie guided in Wayne Rooney's deep free-kick for the decisive goal in the 71st minute to give United their fifth successive Premier League victory, The BBC reported.

United's fifth successive Premier League win came despite registering three shots at goal to Southampton's 15, while the visitors' occasionally shambolic defensive performance cast further doubt over their solidity at the other end.

However, the mere fact of the club's return to the top three for the first time since August 2013 would raise hopes that they can remain there until the end of the season, which is also the bare minimum requested by chief executive Ed Woodward this summer.

United's fans ended the match singing Van Persie's name and it was the Dutchman who fired the brace that gave their fans another chance to rejoice in victory, the report added.